WHEEL 101

TECHNICAL BASICS AND DETAILS ABOUT ALLOY WHEELS

Below you will find the most important information on the subject of alloy wheels. From the design of a rim to the manufacture and TÜV tests to information about care and winter use.

Characteristics of an alloy wheel

Bolt (Pitch) Circle Diameter / Bolt Hole Patternindicates the diameter of two opposite bolts on the wheel hub of a car, and how many bolt holes the wheel needs to fit the hub.

Centrebore Diameter For optimum flexibility, DEZENT uses reduction rings so that a wheel can have a number of centrebore diameters with only one centrebore hole (basic ring system)

Offset is the distance from the mounting surface to the rim's true centreline. This measurement is very important as it determines the positioning of the wheel on the car.

Rim Widthis the inner distance between the two rim flanges. The rim width also indicates the nominal width of the wheel.

HumpWhen strong lateral forces are acting on the wheel (e.g. when driving around curves), the hump keeps the tyre from slipping around on the wheel, thereby preventing a sudden loss of tyre pressure. There are a large number of different hump designs.

PRODUCTION OF ALLOY WHEELS

We are committing ourselves to the highest quality expectations. This promise is not only for legal regulations, but DEZENT prides itself in going above and beyond expectations.

One Piece Wheels

When a wheel base and wheel bed are made simultaneously in one part, this is called a one piece wheel. Production for a wheel is cast between a casting or a smithing process. The one piece wheel is the most common type of aluminum wheels.

Casting

The so-called “die casting” is applied to the wheels. With this casting process, one distinguishes basically between “gravity casting” and “low pressure” casting. In either case the form will be filled with melted aluminum.

After the wheel is cast, the form will be removed and the wheel will be completed. An original form is manufactured out of steel and can be used to make between 50,000-80,000 wheels of one design.

Model Wheel Process

The history of a wheel begins with the design idea. A product design specification is evolved which contains the basic definition and optimal performance of the design and the technical construction of the wheel. The drafts are then discussed and voted on in our product development team.

Wheel friction Test

The enormous strains, which in reality could never actually be reached, are tested by means of computer simulation of the 3D wheel model where the friction and strain are calculated. This process takes place in three steps and builds the basis for the transposition of a new wheel design:

Wheel friction TestSpoke StrainFinal Wheel Test

The computer depicts the analysis of the wheel alteration through different colors. Areas with the largest friction strain are indicated in red, while areas without any strain are indicated in green.

All DEZENT products are put through enormous strain during the development process to prevent the chance of an accident. This means safety for the driver and ensures us to produce the highest-quality products.

TUEV Test

EVERY wheel with the DEZENT label is without a doubt TÜV approved. Thus ensuring the highest quality for years and road safety. The most important TÜV Tests are:

Bending Fatigue TestWheel-rolling TestImpact TestDriving Test

Bending Fatigue TestIn the movement circulation trials the lateral forces are simulated, where the curving of the wheels are strained. Each alloy wheel will be fixed on the test bench with a clamping ring on the inner wheel flange and fixed over the wheel joint plane with a running side load.

Wheel-rolling Test In the wheel-rolling test the stress of the wheel will be simulated by straight or curvy driving.

Impact TestThis test simulates the contact with a curbside. Here it will be hit with a wedge-shaped hammer, once on the spokes and once on the valve.

Driving TestIn the driving Test each vehicle on the market will be audited with different wheels. In this process center disc wheels, tires and restrictions will be determined.

ALLOY WHEELS ALSO IN WINTER

The winter efficiency (resistivity against salt and rockfall) is dependent on the quality and layer thickness of the clear lacquer. Here DEZENT applies at least three particularly high-end coatings which are also made for winter. It is necessary for the optimal compromise of layer thickness and elasticity of the coating to be achieved. The hardest test is surely the “Jaguar drop Test”. Here, from a height of 4m, a size M8 bolt nut will fall through a pipe onto the wheel, where on impact the lacquer should not splinter.

Protection against Road Salt

All DEZENT Wheels must also pass the Salt Spray Test. In this test, the wheel’s lacquer is been scratched, placed in a plastic container for about 300 hours and sprayed with an acidic solution. This test demonstrates the considerable quality of the varnish and demonstrates very clearly how high the quality of the finish is, as the finish opens up, or “blossoms” when the clear or silver finish has any quality defects.

Snow Chains

Snow chains mounted properly and at the right time, are not a problem for DEZENT wheels in principle. Depending on the vehicle, DEZENT pays special attention to make sure that snow chain access is included in the TÜV certification.

CLEANING, MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE OF ALLOY WHEELS

Specially designed cleansers and cleaning cloths have been developed for alloy wheels. At no time may aggressive chemicals, scouring agents or similar substances be used, as they may diminish the appearance of the wheel. When storing the wheels, e.g. during the winter season, they should be cleaned first and kept in a dry place.

Repair of alloy wheels

Any post mechanical processing and/or thermal treatment is not allowed. Such a wheel is no longer in the tested version and leads when mounted on a vehicle to a loss of the operating permit! The wheel owner thus loses all rights to liability and warranty claims!